Budding businesspeople of the future were given an insight into the ins and outs of the world of work.

Over 70 students from Calderdale College's arts faculty – including graphic design, performing arts, art and design, music and dance – attended the event, which was run by business education charity Young Enterprise.

Carol South, programme manager for expressive arts, said: "In the creative industry you are more than twice as likely to be self-employed than in any other.

"People very often move backwards and forwards between employment and self-employment so it is vital that we equip our learners with business skills at an early stage."

During the entrepreneurship masterclass the students took part in a challenge to create a business based on what they either love, dislike or find is missing at the college.

Their challenge ended with a Dragon's Den style competition.

The event was led by entrepreneurs Danny Matharu of Mirfield-based Hillrich Ltd and Nadine Hill of The Dream PA, based in Wakefield.

Both have set up their own successful businesses and are ambassadors for the Make your Mark campaign which aims to unlock the UK's enterprise potential.

Mr Matharu, 32, who is managing director of his own events management and sales training company, wanted to show young people how to strike out on their own.

"When I was at school I just didn't know it was possible to go into business," he said.

"What I want to do is raise awareness and open the minds of young people to what is possible."

The event finished with students being given the opportunity to sign up to take part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme, with the challenge of setting up and running their own business for a year with the help of local business advisers.

Got a schools story? E-mail our education reporter at cathy.neligan@halifaxcourier.co.uk

• The Student: All the latest news from Calderdale's schools and colleges